I worked in academic publishing for three years and was progressing well but decided I wanted to do something else, perhaps more creative. I took three months to go travelling and once back in the UK, found a job within weeks. It sounded fantastic: a publications job with picture research and some illustrated book experience.

It was terrible. I stayed for three months and then left, very depressed. I have since been temping for a few months and have just accepted another publishing job, but this time in travel publishing. It will be a desk editing job, so not in the creative vein I was hoping for, but should give me experience that I am currently lacking. However, it does mean relocating.

I suppose what I'm struggling with is the idea of relocating when I don't really want to and taking a job that, although it will be challenging and good experience, is not what I thought I was heading for. However, at this point it seems better to have something concrete on my CV than to keep waiting for that elusive dream job.

Jeremy: It seems to me that you've already decided what you should do next and - luckily perhaps - I don't disagree with you. But your lack of enthusiasm is understandable. Relocating is always a bit of a wrench - even when it means you're on your way to an exciting new opportunity. But in this case, you're going through all the hassle of moving, all the apprehension that the unknown and the unfamiliar inevitably arouses - and at the end of it all, a job that doesn't sound nearly as alluring as you might have hoped for.

Nonetheless, I'm sure you've made the right decision - with just one important proviso. And now comes the stern, predictable headmasterly bit: so please forgive me. It's very well-meant.

However your new job and your new location turn out, it's absolutely essential that you somehow turn them both to your advantage. I'm not condemning you to them for life; just saying the obvious, really. The one thing you must avoid is finding it all so terrible, as you did with your picture research job, that you walk out after only three months. If you let that happen, you'll not only suffer from even deeper depression but you'll play havoc with your CV and make the next step in your career even more problematic.

I don't just mean that you've got to grin and bear it. You must actively look for the positive bits, in both the work and the place. I know that sounds very Mary Poppins and all that - but there are always, always new lessons to learn, experiences to acquire, people to meet and ideas to be challenged. But they're unlikely to turn up uninvited; you'll need to seek them out, at least initially. If you just curl up into a little ball of misery, you'll be sunk again.

It's possible, of course, that both the new place and job will pleasantly surprise you. I do hope so. But on the assumption that your dream job will be just that, set yourself the conscious task of pillaging every bit of potentially valuable experience from your new circumstances. It will give an added zest to your working life - and will help you become an even better qualified candidate for the next big move.

Prolonged CV rejection has led me to suffer a loss of confidence

My CV is a bit varied, in that I have moved industries a few times but, more or less, have had marketing roles. This is not going down well with recruitment agencies who say they cannot help me because my industry knowledge is not specific enough.

Because of this, I've been filling in application forms for over two years and have had some interviews but did not get any job offers. I've completely lost confidence and am just in a panic.

I've recently been in contact with agencies again after re-doing my CV and had the same response. Tonight I spent ages online searching for jobs but did not actually apply for any because I am not sure whether to believe the agencies or to persevere. I do not wish to stay within the public sector, where I am now, so another move makes my CV look even less attractive. My latest idea is to redo my CV again, highlighting all my direct marketing experience. However even getting a job in this area will be a problem because my knowledge is not that in-depth.

I just want a general marketing role to get out of my rut and decide then which area to specialise in. Going the direct route answering adverts and filling in forms has taken hours of my time and not yielded the results. Or perhaps I have just been unlucky. Furthermore, I am unhappy in my current role, which is giving me no valuable experience. I cannot just quit but am in too much of a panic to apply for anything. I have even taken days off work but did not do anything because I am so paralysed.

Jeremy: You're in such a state of despair and indecision that you've taken what the agencies have told you as gospel truth. It's not. Tough as you're going to find it, you need to sit yourself down and tell yourself some other, real facts.

Fact: Not all marketing roles demand specific industry experience. One of marketing's characteristics is that it's a reasonably transferable skill: people frequently move from pharmaceuticals to retail to leisure - and so on.

Fact: You already have marketing experience. Your instinct to highlight that on your CV is a good one. Even your non-marketing experience can be put to relevant use: it's confirmed you in your determination to pursue a marketing career.

Fact: There are thousands of marketing jobs out there and people with less experience than you will be considered for them. You have as good a chance as many and better than some.

Fact: The internet makes it easier than ever before to find the one opportunity (and you only need one) that will change your life.

Go for it. And the very best of luck.

For Jeremy Bullmore's advice on a work issue, email work@guardian.co.uk. Please note that Jeremy is unable to answer questions of a legal nature or reply personally to your email.

Jeremy's book, Another Bad Day At The Office?, is published by Penguin at £6.99. To order a copy with free UK p&p, go to guardian.co.uk/bookshop or call 0870 836 0875